Fluffy Sourdough Dinner Buns Recipe

Fluffy Homemade Sourdough Dinner Buns Recipe: Fresh From The Oven

Warm, pillowy sourdough dinner buns dance with golden perfection on every dinner table.

Soft and tender, these homemade sourdough dinner buns bring rustic charm to your meal.

The tangy aroma of fresh bread will draw everyone closer to the kitchen.

Generations of bakers have shared this simple yet delectable recipe, passing down techniques that create irresistible texture.

Crafted with patience and love, these buns turn an ordinary dinner into a memorable feast.

Each bite promises a delightful blend of crisp exterior and cloud-like interior.

You’ll savor every moment of this bread-making adventure and impress your guests with bakery-worthy results.

Making Sourdough Dinner Buns Without the Stress

  • Yeast Activation

Warm liquid meets sugar, creating a cozy environment for yeast to wake up and become bubbly and alive.

  • Dough Fusion

Blend sourdough starter with other wet ingredients, creating a smooth, silky mixture that promises delicious results.

  • Flour Integration

Gradually incorporate flour until the dough feels soft and pillowy, with just the right amount of texture.

  • Kneading Magic

Transform the mixture into a silky, elastic canvas through gentle machine kneading, developing gluten and building flavor.

  • First Transformation

Allow the dough to rest and expand, rising like a gentle breath in a warm, draft-free sanctuary.

  • Bun Shaping

Divide the puffy dough into uniform rounds, each one becoming a perfect little golden pillow of deliciousness.

  • Final Proof

Let the buns relax and grow, preparing for their golden moment in the oven.

  • Baking Brilliance

Brush with a golden egg wash and bake until the buns turn a beautiful amber color, filling the kitchen with irresistible aromas.

Pro Tips for Sourdough Dinner Buns That Shine

  • Sourdough Secrets: Baking Brilliance
  • Starter Strength: Ensure your sourdough starter is active and bubbly before beginning. A robust starter guarantees better rise and more complex flavor in your dinner buns.
  • Flour Power: Experiment with different flour types like whole wheat or rye to add depth and unique texture. Each flour brings its own character to the final bun.
  • Temperature Tricks: Keep your dough in a draft-free, warm spot during rising. A slightly warm oven (turned off) or near a sunny window works perfectly for optimal proofing.
  • Topping Temptations: Sprinkle sesame seeds, everything bagel seasoning, or coarse sea salt on top before baking for extra crunch and flavor excitement.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dough the night before, let it rise slowly in the refrigerator, and bake fresh in the morning for maximum convenience and incredible taste.

Serve Sourdough Dinner Buns with Style

  • Dinner Party Centerpiece: Arrange these golden sourdough buns in a rustic wooden basket lined with a crisp linen napkin, creating an inviting centerpiece that beckons guests to dive in and enjoy.
  • Sandwich Lovers' Delight: Split these tender buns in half and transform them into mini sandwich vessels, perfect for stuffing with roasted turkey, crisp lettuce, and tangy spread for a quick lunch option.
  • Soup and Stew Companions: Serve these warm buns alongside hearty beef stew, potato soup, or creamy chowder, letting guests tear and dip the soft bread into rich, comforting broths for a soul-warming meal experience.
  • Breakfast Brunch Twist: Toast leftover buns the next morning, slather with creamy butter and homemade jam, or use them as a base for eggs benedict for a delightful weekend breakfast upgrade.

Storing Sourdough Dinner Buns with Ease

  • Freshness Maintenance: Keep these sourdough buns in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap to maintain soft texture and prevent drying out.
  • Freezing Strategy: Slide the cooled buns into freezer-safe bags, removing excess air. These delicious rolls stay fresh for up to 3 months when frozen. Thaw at room temperature for best results.
  • Reheating Techniques: Warm buns quickly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or wrap in foil and heat in a 350ºF oven for 5-7 minutes. Restore their just-baked softness and delightful aroma with these simple methods.
  • Moisture Preservation: Place a damp paper towel with the buns when reheating to prevent them from becoming tough or dry. This trick helps maintain the tender, fluffy texture that makes these sourdough buns irresistible.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 22 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 7 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 13

What You’ll Need for Sourdough Dinner Buns

For Yeast Activation:
  • Warm Water: Kickstarts yeast fermentation and helps develop soft dough texture.
  • Sugar: Provides food for yeast to activate and create fluffy buns.
  • Active Dry Yeast: Essential for bread rising, creating airy and light texture.
For Moisture and Flavor:
  • Eggs: Adds richness, structure, and helps bind ingredients together.
  • Vegetable Oil: Ensures tender crumb and prevents dryness in buns.
  • Sourdough Starter: Introduces tangy flavor and complex fermentation notes.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and controls yeast growth.
For Structure and Binding:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides primary structure and determines bun's final texture.
  • Additional Flour: Helps adjust dough consistency and prevent stickiness.

Kitchen Setup for Sourdough Dinner Buns

  • Stand Mixer: Essential for mixing and kneading the dough efficiently.
  • Dough Hook: Helps knead the dough to develop gluten and create a smooth texture.
  • Beater Blade: Perfect for initial mixing of ingredients.
  • Mixing Bowl: Needed to combine wet and dry ingredients.
  • 9×13 Inch Baking Pan: Provides the right space for buns to rise and bake together.
  • Whisk: Used for creating the egg wash.
  • Pastry Brush: Helps apply the egg wash evenly on the buns.
  • Wire Rack: Allows buns to cool without getting soggy.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
Print
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Fluffy Sourdough Dinner Buns Recipe

Fluffy Sourdough Dinner Buns Recipe


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4.8 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 7 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Homemade sourdough dinner buns create a warm, inviting aroma that fills kitchens with comfort. Salt, flour, and tangy starter combine for simple, rustic bread perfection you’ll savor alongside hearty meals.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 34 cups (360480 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (240 ml) sourdough starter discard (room temperature)
  • 3 large eggs (1 for egg wash)
  • ½ cup (120 ml) warm water (110-115°F/43-46°C)
  • 3 tbsps (45 ml) vegetable oil
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 package (2 ¼ tsp/7 g) instant yeast

Instructions

  1. Yeast Activation: Whisk warm water and sugar in a stand mixer bowl, sprinkle yeast across the surface, and allow 3 minutes for blooming and transformation.
  2. Ingredient Integration: Blend eggs, vegetable oil, sourdough starter, and salt into the activated yeast mixture using low-speed mixing for uniform incorporation.
  3. Flour Development: Gradually add flour to wet ingredients using the beater blade, monitoring dough texture until achieving a slightly tacky consistency without excessive stickiness.
  4. Gluten Refinement: Switch to dough hook and knead at medium speed for 5-7 minutes, developing a smooth, elastic dough with robust structural integrity.
  5. Primary Fermentation: Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm, draft-free environment for 30-45 minutes until volume nearly doubles.
  6. Shaping and Proofing: Deflate dough on a floured surface, divide into 12-15 uniform portions, shape into compact spheres, and arrange in a 9×13 inch baking pan with minimal spacing.
  7. Final Preparation: Preheat oven to 375ºF while allowing buns to undergo final rise, then create a golden glaze by whisking egg with water and delicately brushing across bun surfaces.
  8. Baking and Cooling: Bake for 20-22 minutes until buns reach a rich, uniform golden-brown color, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and air circulation.

Notes

  • Precise Yeast Activation: Ensure water temperature is between 100-110°F for optimal yeast performance and prevent potential killing of living cultures.
  • Flour Consistency Check: Watch dough texture carefully during flour incorporation; slightly tacky is perfect, avoiding overly dry or wet mixtures that can compromise bun structure.
  • Proofing Environment Matters: Select a consistently warm spot around 75-80°F for dough rising, avoiding drafty areas to maintain steady fermentation and even volume development.
  • Golden Glaze Technique: Apply egg wash gently with a soft pastry brush, covering buns evenly to achieve a beautiful, glossy surface without pooling or excessive moisture.
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 22 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 160 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Jessica Martin

Jessica Martin

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography​, Seasonal and Local Ingredients​, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine​, Culinary Education​

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and food safety. Gained hands-on experience in preparing diverse cuisines and understanding flavor profiles

Oregon Culinary Institute

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized education in baking fundamentals, pastry arts, and dessert presentation. Emphasized creativity and precision in crafting baked goods.​

Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking. 

Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes. 

Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.

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